BELGRADE
Albanian businesses around Serbia, as well as the Albanian Embassy in Montenegro, suffered violent attacks on Thursday and Friday.
Businesses belonging to Albanians in Novi Sad, Virsac and Sombor all cities in northern Serbia were attacked by rock-throwing vandals who broke windows, damaged property, and even set buildings on fire, according to the information provided by Serbian Interior Ministry to Anadolu Agency (AA).
One of the two businesses attacked in Novi Sad was set on fire, and the other one's windows were broken. One suspect was taken into custody by police.
In Sombor city in northern Serbia, a bakery belonging to Albanians was also set on fire after midnight on Oct. 15. The city government condemned the attack, and said that police were working to find suspects.
In Montenegro, the Albanian Embassy was attacked by rock throwing vandals and its windows were broken.
Serbian Interior Ministry Secretary Aleksandar Nikolic told reporters that the Serbian government will not tolerate hatred against different religions and nationalities, adding that everyone who carries out an attack against establishments owned by Albanians will be sentenced with appropriate legal penalties.
"The Ministry is working on the identification of the organizers of the attacks against Albanian businesses. In this context one person was already taken into custody. We are doing everything to stop the spreading of incidents after the unfortunate match," Nikolic said.
The Islamic Union of Serbia condemned the attacks in a written statement: "We condemn all the attacks against honest and loyal Muslim citizens of Serbia and call for an end of this kind of behavior."
www.aa.com.tr/en
